Holistic jar factory fights mold contamination in Monson

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NORTHAMPTON – A Monson-based marijuana growing and manufacturing facility owned by cannabis giant Holistic Industries experienced a widespread mold infestation earlier this year, according to documents reviewed by the Gazette.

An independent inspection by EnviroMed Services – parts of which were sent anonymously to the Gazette – found that between June 28 and July 3, there was mold contamination “identified throughout the world. ‘establishment’ including ‘significant areas of concern’ with heavy mold spore estimates. in 10 areas. Inspectors found common and toxigenic molds in growing rooms and in a storage room, and other molds were found in flower rooms, harvest lane, dry-drying rooms and others. areas.

Holistic’s 56,000 square foot Monson facility contains approximately 15,000 square feet of cannabis canopy – some 20,000 plants growing at any given time – and employs approximately 80 people. The company also manufactures edibles, concentrates and other products at the site and operates Liberty dispensaries in Easthampton, Springfield and Somerville.

The duties of inspecting cannabis and cultivation facilities fall on the state Cannabis Control Commission, which did not provide and respond when the Gazette asked when the state last inspected the installation of Holistic. A spokesperson said that CCC can inspect any facility at any time and that its staff “regularly conduct inspections of all licensees, as they go through the licensing process. provisional to final authorization, and after they begin operations in the Commonwealth â€. However, national regulations do not specify how often inspections should take place.

In a statement, Holistic senior vice president Jamie Ware said a power outage in December 2020 caused a “high humidity event,” after which the company began monitoring the situation. Then, in June, the company investigated a “pervasive odor” in the building, discovered mold in “confined areas” and began remedying it, she said.

“To ensure our success, we have hired environmental scientists, industrial hygienists and construction contractors,†Ware said. “We strive to eliminate all sources of moisture that may promote mold growth so that this problem does not recur in the future. It is important to note that mold at a certain level is common in marijuana grow operations, and therefore the Cannabis Control Board requires finished products to test for mold before they are sold.

When asked about the date of the CCC’s last inspection at 96 Palmer Rd. Facility, Ware did not respond, stating only, “We are aware of any obligations, if any, to report this to our partner state agencies. and take appropriate action. “

A CCC spokesperson declined to provide inspection reports of Holistic’s facility in Monson, saying the Gazette must file an official registration request for such reports. In a statement, the spokesperson said other local, state and federal agencies may inspect cannabis facilities, but that such findings and procedures “are at the discretion of the Commission.”

“If findings are discovered that violate both the Commission’s and another organization’s regulations, these entities can work together to conduct similar, but separate, investigations,” the spokesperson said.

In a telephone interview, Monson health worker Lorri McCool said the Cannabis Control Commission, not the city’s health department, was inspecting the Holistic facility.

Ware, the holistic leader, said in her statement that all Holistic products pass independent state-mandated testing as well as company quality assurance checks before they are released to market. She said the company had had complaints about a product that had a “different smell.”

“Once we identified the presence of mold in our facility, but had not compromised the safety of the factories, we assumed that some of the odor from the facility was transferred to the product or the environment. ‘packaging,’ she said. “That’s when we proactively added the additional quality assurance processes of sensory and visual inspections, removing any lots that did not meet our standards. “

The Monson facility continues to operate at full capacity, Ware said. She said environmental science experts assured the company that the mold was not a danger to human health and that during the repair, the company made KN95 masks available to employees. who wanted extra protection beyond the masks they wear regularly to reduce coronavirus infections. Workers also wear scrubs that are thrown away after a shift or cleaned by professionals, she added.

“We also installed additional air filters, purifiers and air blowers to better circulate the air and manage the humidity level in the facility,†Ware said. “Our team regularly tests the air quality and will continue to do so. “

Holistic noted that the Gazette had only received parts of the independent report detailing mold contamination at the facility, but did not provide the full report at the request of a reporter.

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